milena, čolaković
MILENA ČOLAKOVIĆ
MILENA ČOLAKOVIĆ, Banquet Sales Manager at Zira Hotel

Q: Who are you?
My name is Milena Čolaković, I am a Banquet Sales Manager in one of the most popular business hotels in Serbia, the Zira Hotel in Belgrade. I graduated in Hospitality Management in 2009 and got involved in the hospitality business back in my college days. Before I became a member of the Zira team, I worked in several different positions in Belgrade hotels and tried to improve my knowledge in as many hospitality areas as I could. In February 2011 I made my first steps in the congress business, and it was love at first sight that has been growing ever since.

Q: What is your favourite meetings brand?
Modesty aside, I think my answer on this one will always be the Zira Hotel. It is a relatively young congress brand that succeeded in placing itself at the very top of the Serbian meeting industry. With 127 highly quality rooms, 500 m² of congress area, an international restaurant, fitness and shopping mall, it truly offers everything a guest could request from a modern business hotel. A few months ago we got the ‘Serbia Leading business hotel 2014’ award, which confirmed that, so far, we have done a good job.

Q: What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
When I look back, I could definitely say it was applying for the position of Banquet Sales Coordinator without any previous experience in that field of hotel business. I was extremely lucky to get a chance to work with professionals who had enough patience and were willing to share their knowledge with me. As a result, in less than a year, we have successfully organised meetings and seminars for several thousand people.

Q: What’s your alternative career fantasy?
To open a small, family cake bakery. In fact, I am seriously planning cross-training with my colleagues from the kitchen sometime in the near future

Q: What are you obsessed with at the moment?
Juggling between two highly responsible positions. The one at the hotel and the other, which is even more demanding – being a mum of a one year old baby.

Join our newsletter!

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest updates from Kongres Magazine.